Orthodontic treatment can do wonders for your smile, providing you with straight and healthy teeth that can last a lifetime. If you’re looking for an orthodontist, it’s essential to do some research and ask them questions before you commit to treatment.
Explore our guide to learn five questions that you should ask your orthodontist.
Are they board-certified?
While it’s not technically required to provide orthodontic treatment, a certification from the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is a good indication of a qualified provider. This certification signifies that they completed two to three years of orthodontic training in addition to completing their DDS or DMD.
The ABO is the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). Typically, a board-certified orthodontist will have more experience and training in the field than a general dentist.
How long have they been providing orthodontic treatment?
Another important question to ask your orthodontist is how long they’ve been treating patients. The more experience they have, the more you can trust them to provide safe and effective orthodontic care.
In order to stay in business, orthodontists have to ensure that patients are satisfied with their results. If a practice has been open for a long time, this is a strong indication that patients are happy with their services.
When you’re looking for an orthodontist, try to find a highly experienced one like Dr. A. Vandiveer Strait. With 21 years as an Invisalign® provider behind him, he can help you achieve a healthy and flawless smile.
Do they have patient reviews available?
Another indication of an orthodontist’s quality is their patient reviews. Most practices have plenty of reviews available on Google, Yelp, and other websites. If they only have a few reviews or none at all, that probably isn’t a good sign unless it’s a new office.
If the orthodontist has a lot of bad reviews, you might want to keep searching until you find a more reliable one. To be fair, a few bad reviews may not mean anything — even the very best orthodontist will likely have the occasional unsatisfied patient. However, if you see a consistent pattern of complaints, there’s likely something wrong with that practice.
Look for a provider like Dr. Michele Taylor, who has a 4.9-star average based on 87 Google reviews. This score is a good indication that you can feel safe entrusting her with your smile.
Can they share before and after photos?
It’s always a good idea to ask an orthodontist for before and after photos. These photos give you a look at the results they’ve been able to provide for previous patients, helping you determine if they’re the right choice for you.
If an orthodontist is hesitant to share before and after photos or claims to not have any, you should immediately be skeptical of their services. The only exception to this is if you’re visiting a new practice that hasn’t treated many patients yet.
Do they have any noteworthy certifications?
Finally, you’ll want to know about any special or noteworthy certifications that an orthodontist has. These can separate an orthodontist from their competition and play a large role in making your final decision.
For example, Invisalign has a system that ranks their providers based on the number of patients they treat every year. The highest tier is Diamond Plus, reserved for orthodontists who complete at least 400 Invisalign cases every year.
Offering three convenient locations in the Miami area, Dr. Stephen Grussmark is the only Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider in Dade County. As one of the top Invisalign dentists in the world, he can ensure your treatment runs smoothly and produces the results you expect.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions
When you’re choosing an orthodontist, never hesitate to ask them questions. It’s crucial that you don’t rush your decision, as this can lead to a provider that’s inexperienced or unable to provide the results you’re looking for.
With the five questions outlined above, you can make sure that the orthodontist is reputable and a good fit for you.